[ - Author's Note - ]
Hey there everyone! How is it going? I'm back with another chapter for you all. I hope you're all doing well and what-not. Shall we get into it?
The Poll is still ongoing with links at the bottom; if you haven't voted for the best banner in Ansur please do so! After it the Thorn poll will be last; so we'll be done with them soon. As for this chapter?
We're off to Ferrosica to see some guests from... Oh, hell... You can see the title; I'm sure you figured it out.
Let's go!
[ - Act II - Chapter XL: Straight Outta Mikutaku - ]
Ring... Ring... Ring... Ring... Ring...
It was that dream once more and like before the shakujo rang loud and clear through the air. More of the mist had once more cleared up to let her see more of the field. Her fellow shields, the five pillars and the flowers were all seen clearer... and yet the mists clung to the man in the dragon's mask; she could see his mask but not his body or what he wore but it was what was new that was of interest.
Other priestesses of her order, the Seindai, stood behind the two lines her fellow shields made; hands clasped before them as their heads were bowed in prayer. Prayer for what reason she still didn't know. An idea nagged at the back of her head but she dismissed it. More interesting was that she could see two more figures, both standing near the man in the dragon's mask; a priest of the Seindai and a young girl in a pink dress. She idly wondered what she herself was wearing but was unable to move her head down to gaze over her own frame for some reason.
As she took it all in God let her forwards step by step. This time when she awoke she was walking between the lines of Shield Princesses and priestesses both...
[-]
Ferrosica takes it's name, in part, from the many rich and various iron mines within the Barony's borders. The rough terrain makes trade difficult from the state but the short Sol Albus Mountain Range blocks overland routes from it and Nyaru offering protection. By contrast the still rough but more traversable Thunderblaze Mountain Range gives access to another group of peoples; the Or'gon Tribal Peoples. Rugged and strong they live a rather barbaric lifestyle but are, in general, not hostile to most outsiders; although they have had issues with Nyaru and Wereagell in the past. By contrast their relations with Eostia are traditionally warmer.
People of the Or'gon will, at times, descend into Ferrosica to trade herbs, furs, meats and other goods for various things made within the Barony; mostly tools, weapons, woolen blankets and potions. Additionally Or'gon shamans will come down to trade and acquire magical secrets to share with their own tribes. Some have even settled into a town on the border of Ferrosica and the tribal lands to easier facilitate trade.
Ruling over the state is House Usagi; a fairly traditional house of eastern origin yet a Liberalist house as they see freedoms and rights as the single most important thing a nation must have. Often times they act as a bridge between the Liberalist and Conservative factions in the Council of Lords. Militarily they focus on heavily armored infantry backed by archers and other ranged attackers; the state's rocky terrain being ill-suited to the use and maintenance of cavalry formations.
~Dominic James Pencraft, The Eostia Historia
[-]
Coming at Ferrosica from the north wasn't ideal, doubly so as we had to ride due east of Arrona before turning southwards, but it was one of two only good routes to the state's capital. It was slow going with more then a few hills, rocky, cliff side roads and more. Still we made mostly good time until we arrived at Ironcraft City. The city itself bore only thirty foot walls but was on a raised hill with most of it being too steep to get up. The exception was to the lone road leading to it; the wall rose to fifty feet in the front with sixty foot tall towers along that side. Once more the banner hung off the towers flanking the gate.
This one bore a yellow ring at the top with gold outlines. Inside, on a dark blue background, was a dark, dark gray (As in a shade away from being black) crescent moon with a white rabbit laying in it; the opening and rabbit facing the right; both outlined in light gray. From the side of the ring's outer outline the line moved down, curved softly then steeper before coming to a point at the bottom. This section was red and bore a large samurai helmet with a flat plate over the mouth, jaw and nose; yellow with a white outline save the golden face plate. Under it in light gray with darker highlights and handle was a spiked kanabo; a ring on the butt which was on the bottom. It was the banner of House Usagi.
We were on route to the Adventurer's Guild when a commotion was heard from in front of our convoy; namely in the city square. Confused we stopped and moved out of our carriage to see what was going on...
There was all sorts of cheering and chanting as people made a massive ring about the middle of the square; you could still ride around them (If you minded your speed, at least) but I ignored that as we walked closer. I was able to get a partial view as... two women fought. Thankfully with wooden weapons, which you could hear clacking into one another, which is more then likely why the local guards weren't breaking up the fight yet. "What's going on here?" I asked as a man; a merchant by the looks of him, turned to me as I spoke to address me.
"Two girls from the far east ended up in town and decided to have themselves a hell of a showdown... and they opted to have themselves that showdown here of all places." He told me as I tried to get a better view. Finally I just levitated up a half foot to see over the crowd's head to get a view... and blinked at what I saw there.
The first girl was maybe five eight and bore greenish-blue eyes and had chestnut colored hair pulled back in a loose, waist long braid held by a yellow tie and a pair of bangs framing her face with B-Cup breasts. Despite being in the middle of a fight her expression was calm, if strained by the heat of battle. Unlike her opponent she also bore a long, cloth wrapped bundle on her back.
The second girl was a bit taller at five ten and bore hair in waist long twin-tails, held in white ties with a long, pointed bang hanging between her hair which I would call a blueish-gray in color tone; complementing bright, blue eyes and maybe C-Cup breasts. By contrast while strained she bore a more haughty look to her. But what was more curious was their outfits.
They were both dressed like Makoto was before I gave her that suit of Armor Weave. I am not joking. There were differences, mind; the chestnut haired girl had longer sleeves with a thicker trim of navy blue, a dark blue belt and wrap around her arms from the palms to the elbows with black, red trimmed, leather padding on the back held with blue straps to the arms and one black stocking on her left leg and one ankle sock on the right; both of her feet in geta sandals. The other girl had the same detached sleeves Makoto wore, white stockings with brown trim and a tan belt; same sandals. It was... a bit surreal and I looked back to my bodyguard. "Makoto." I let off, nodding with my head to summon her over.
It took a moment for her to move by me and I reached down to take her hand; using Levitation on her and lifting her upwards to my new height to let her see over the crowd. She gawked after a moment and seemed to pinch her nose for a moment, grumbling before gently starting to pull free of my grip. I released my spell on her, letting her back to her feet. Once there she started to push her way into the crowd and I dropped down to follow; noting that Riri and Kaguya were both pushing through as well (Kiyono also pushed through as well, although I wouldn't notice that right away) as I wondered what was going on. It took a moment before Makoto managed to move, shuffle and even at one point pushed her way to the front as she looked to the two women. "Momoyo! Machiko! What are you two doing!?" She barked out. Ahhh... She knew them, huh?
Both women moved from locking wooden blades before moving back to her.
"Sister!"
"So; this is where you are sister..." Braided then Twin-Tails let off as I bit back a groan. Oh boy, family drama!
We haven't had enough of that this trip!
At least it isn't her father... Let's check Braid-girl first...
(-)
Name: Machiko Taihei
Title: The Stalwart Blade
Class: Swordswoman
Level: 23
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 12
Status: Healthy, On Edge, Calm
Romance Rating: 81
Corruption Rating: 1
Known Traits
[?]
[Back to the Wall] If you cannot retreat you fight better then normal. +5% all stats when retreat is not an option when a fight starts
[Eye of the Storm] You are usually calm and collected and when in such a state you fight much better. +5 to all Stats when calm. -5 to all Stats when in a state of panic
[?]
Hailing from Mizutaku, an island archipelago off the eastern coast of Sererus, after her family fought a corrupted shogun she traversed her country in order to keep the peace and help the peasantry under the leadership of her father who is on the new ruling council of Mizutaku.
(-)
Okay... and Twin-Tails?
(-)
Name: Momoyo Taihei
Title: The Raging Blade
Class: Samurai
Level: 24
Alignment: Neutral
Reputation: 14
Status: Healthy, On Edge, Annoyed
Romance Rating: 80
Corruption Rating: 21
Known Traits
[?]
[Perfect Slice] If you have longer then five seconds to line up a melee attack it's accuracy is 100%
[?]
[I Carry On!] Despite how hard or long you fight you can keep fighting on! +3% to End & Sta. When you reach a state of exhaustion increase your End & Sta by another 7%
Hailing from Mizutaku, an island archipelago off the eastern coast of Sererus, she and her family overthrew a corrupted shogun and helped install a ruling council that included her father. Since then she has moved to find challenges and glory to her name and her family to prove herself worthy.
(-)
I turned my head to Makoto and blinked. "You have sisters?" I let off softly as she sighed.
"Yes. Five of them." She said with a nod to my surprise. "And three brothers. But that is besides the point." She said looking between the two women. "Why are the two of you dueling in the street?" She let off as I looked to the pair.
"IThiswasidiotaskedwon'tbygivefathermetothefindswordyouthatandIdelivershouldyoubethethefamily'sonebladetoashavewe-"
"Okay!" I yelled out; as both women tried to speak over the other and that made their voices make a slurry of noise that I couldn't make out beyond one or two words. It was clear someone needed to take control of the situation as I pointed to Momoyo. "You be quiet for a moment-" I said as I turned to Machiko. "-and you speak first." Momoyo huffed and pouted but her sister nodded once and spoke clearly and calmly.
"Thank you. I am, as said, Taihei Machiko. Father had asked me to come to this far flung land to find my sister and give her the Kouzenken." She let off.
"The Kouzenken?" Makoto let off as I held up my hand to Machiko for the moment; filing 'Kouzenken' under 'shit I'll deal with later'.
"Now you be quiet-" I said before pointing to the Twin-Tailed one. "-and you speak."
I am Taihei Momoyo. Blade of the East Storm. I want to claim the Kouzenken as birthright and put it to use as well as find where Makoto ran off to." And there's that name once more... I held up my hand to her now.
"Thank you both. Now..." I said as I lowered my hand and looked to Makoto. " Koozenken?"
"It's pronounced Kouzenken." She corrected gently. "It is a blade of our great, great, great grandfather. It was said to be a powerful and enchanted blade once but the spell stone once placed in it was lost. Our ancestor was cast off a cliff into a great river and while he held fast to his blade the stone set to it was lost in the raging currents and was never found."
"If I may..." Machiko began (And I just figured out all three of their names started with 'M' and ended in 'O'. Oiy...) as she spoke once more. "The blade may no longer hold such power but it is still a fine blade; although steel."
"Handle's made of orichalcum however." Moyomo let off as I blinked.
"Who makes a handle of orichalcum but a blade of steel?" Riri asked as she looked to me as I shrugged.
"And who are you anyway that you're bossing everyone around?" Momoyo let off as the gathered crowd (Who had been still watching grumbling a bit at their show being ended) murmured before someone in the back spoke up.
"Oiy you idiots! He's wearin' a damn noble's crest! He's a lordling!"
"Oooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
Yes, the entire crowd 'ohhh'ed at that. "James Noxdecus, Heir to the Barony of Mungale. And Makoto's employer." Both of Makoto's sisters were still looking to me; Machiko with something that looked like restrained respect and Momoyo with low level scorn. "Pleasure to meet you both."
"You serve him? Curious." Machiko let off as she blinked. Momoyo glared to me for a moment and was about to spit something out before a new voice called out.
"And now that the fighting is done everyone disperse and resume your lives!" A loud, booming voice came as a giant samurai (As it six nine or so and built like Gregory!) walked over with a katana strapped to his back... that must have been four and a half feet long with a black handle with small red diamond shapes in it. He wore full, plated samurai armor that was red with yellow trim and a black under body. As for his face... I dunno... He wore a face guard with a plate over the mouth and nose that was colored gold and what looked like spell stones turned into lenses over the eyes. Looked real badass though. Observe told me he was Tsuyoshi Ogame and the guard captain of Ferrosica Manor. "Please move on!" Slowly the crowd dispersed; some would move to the streets and linger but most opted to go about their day.
"Sounds like a bit of an issue, eeeeeeeeeeeeeh Lord Noxdecus?" I heard as a... comparatively tiny woman walked around Tsuyoshi and...
Oh hi Eostia! Still gonna Eostia I see!
The woman herself stood some five one in height and bore hip long near-black blue hair with bangs framing deep blue eyes and a cute face. Her body was petite and maybe had large A or small B-cup breasts. She had a dark blue pointed hat with gold trim and a band around the rim, a... robe that looked like some adjustments could make it lingerie. A collar around the neck led to two straps holding up an open robe held between the breasts by a single, large brass button and nothing else! Sleeves feel to the wrists and were rather wide; the whole thing matching the hat in color and trim. Her boots were likewise the same in color and reached the knees. The bottoms? A loincloth (Same color scheme) with three thin straps on both sides that was so low on the hips that magic had to be the only reason they stayed on and she shaved her pussy. I knew because aside from no panty straps being visible her loincloth hung that low on the hips! And only down to her knees in length...
Oh and she held a staff. It was gnarled, made of oak and had limbs at the top that wrapped around a diamond shaped, red spell stone that was the side of a fist. But it was easy to miss given her outfit.
Good god...
"Indeed... Ummm, miss?" I let off blinking at the tiny, under-dressed witch.
"Forgive me for not introducing myself right away; I am the Baroness of Ferrosica, Shigeko Usagi." She said, tapping her staff to the ground twice before leaning over and smiling as she bowed.
"The Baroness is a teenager?" Riri let off as Kaguya sighed near us softly while Tsuyoshi flinched... Only for Shigeko to huff and stomp a foot on the ground.
"I'm forty two!" She shouted out as I flinched back. "I'm not a kid-not a kid-not a kid!" She let off in a... rather childish manner.
(-)
Name: Shigeko Usagi
Title: Baroness of the Iron Rabbit
Class: Sage
Level: 33
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 36
Status: Healthy, Annoyed, Curious
Romance Rating: 99
Corruption Rating: 14
Known Traits
[?]
[The Sun, Moon & Stars] You are well versed in Holy, Darkness and Arcane magics. +7% to Mag when using Holy, Darkness or Arcane Spells
[Deep Reserves] Your mana reserves are exceptionally deep. Your Mana Pool is increased by 50%
[EXPLOSION!] Any spell that causes a detonation of any sort is reason for your joy... and you are skilled at using them. +5% Damage to all spells that causes detonations or explosions
Trained as a sage but with a love of powerful attacks Shigeko is a long serving baroness and one seeking profits and riches for her realm. In that regards she is leveraging both her realm's natural wealth as well as investing in other economic enterprises. That said her petite and cute looks hides the facts she is older then she seems and a mother of two.
(-)
"My apologies for what she said..." I said, attempting to settle Shigeko down as she acted... childishly. "But you must admit you do look very young." At first I considered she might be another dragonborne before discarding it the second it came to mind; her eyes were far too dark a color for that. She huffed for a long, long moment.
"... I'm around... one sixth elf." She let off before snorting then sighing. That... made more sense then on how she could be in her forties but look like she hadn't even left her teens. "But enough of that. Maybe we all shouldn't be discussing things in the middle of the town." She said as she smiled once more. "And I've also needs to speak with you Lord Noxdecus on business matters at some point. So, how about we all go to Ferrosica Manor and settle things in a civilized manner?"
"Indeed; that sounds like a wonderful idea." Machiko said quickly as Momoyo glared at her before huffing and turning her head to one side.
"Ughhhhh, finnnnnne..." She finally let off.
[-]
The situation being what it was we didn't slow down to install the booster and went to the manor directly. Said manor had a very Japanese look to it; L shaped and with that typical, slopped roof in navy blue, yellow walls and silver trim. Once past the iron bars that fenced the manor in you could see a bronze statue before the manor proper; a large crescent moon with a rabbit laying in it. Once parked we were led inside to a sitting room and it's... unusual seating. Have you ever seen the classic Japanese seating? Kneeling around a table that was short? Okay; now imagine that table was still there but the floor was cut around it so people could sit on the cushioned floor like it was a bench with enough cut out under the table for leg room. I had never seen nor heard of such a set up before. As for the rest of the room; tatami mats, paintings on the walls directly, short book shelves and... an Imperium styled statue of a nude woman holding a dove.
Unusual for the hostess Shigeko sat next to the table's head which is where I was sat along with Makoto. Momoyo and Machiko were sat across from one another with Riri, Ur'Akara, Kiyono, Kaguya, Chouko, Cress, Miria and Aeris set around them as a means to avoid a second fight from breaking out as Tsuyoshi stood back further. Once tea was served I asked the question. "So; the Kouzenken." I began as I looked to Machiko. "Setting aside Momoyo's claim for the moment; why does your father wish for Makoto to have it? While, as her friend and employer, I am well aware of her skill and ability the fact of the matter is Eostia is a very far distance from Mizutaku. I would presume both of you have at least comparable levels of skill so why would he choose Makoto to use it."
"Father always liked her best..." Momoyo grumbled as she crossed her arms as Makoto sighed... there was a story there but I didn't know it.
"Our father, Yudai, received a letter from Makoto stating she had arrived in Eostia and was working as a bodyguard for a lord's son." Machiko said as I nodded once.
"Ahhh, yes..." Makoto let off with a nod. "I sent it sometime after I began working for you; before we left for Prim's birthday party."
"Yes. She wrote of your enchanting skills and that you had made a means of distanced communication that was still being tested." Machiko said with a nod as she carried on. "He claims a vision came to him, granted to him by the Soft-Whistling Goddess." I gave her a long blank look, complete with eye blink before Kaguya spoke up.
"It is the name we use for the Goddess of the Wind." She said as I gave off an 'ahh'.
"Father always followed the Kaze no Enro... The Route of the Wind." Momoyo let off with a sigh. "Not strictly, but still..."
"He says he had a dream that had him to seeing Makoto standing before a western castle and holding the Kouzenken in her hand; restored to it's full power." She said as she pulled the bundle off her back finally. She reached it down towards us and it was taken by those between us and passed to Makoto; Momoyo glaring the whole time. Makoto would unwrap the bundle and there it was; a sheathed katana...
The sheathe was colored red and bore a very ornate golden design along it of several, short swirls with a brass cap at the end. The katana itself bore a red wrapped handle. What was unusual was that it bore a D-guard, something I never saw on a katana before. The guard had a round plate above the handle with the front of it having a curved divot and four, claw like plates meant to hold a golf ball sized stone in place. A pair of bars extended from under the sides of the plate and twisted in front of the handle into one piece before curving down and around to the weapon's butt. The plate and bars were both the golden color of orichalcum and the diamond patterns of the wrapping showed it under the wrap too. One other unusual detail was there was a trigger built into the handle; under the D-Gaurd's top and high enough to slide fingers under it without touching it but close enough to the hand for an index finger to reach up with ease and pull on it.
Makoto would draw the blade a quarter of the way to inspect it before looking it over and turning it in her hands and finally reaching her finger to pull the trigger... only for the blade to detach; sliding back into the sheathe. "Curious..." She let off as she turned the handle about before her. Indeed; a blade detaching itself from the handle was not a usual feature of any sword. As she kept looking it over I turned to look to Machiko.
"You said her father had a vision of it restored to it's full power." I began. "For that you'd need an enchanter like myself but... surely there's enchanters in Mizutaku. No one brought it to one of them before now?" I let off as Machiko and Momoyo winced (And Makoto, for that matter); the two newly arrived sisters looking to one another and then back at me.
"Indeed; however enchanters within the entire east is... rare and even rarer in Mikutaku." She said as I blinked. "Over the past six generations the shogunate made purges of the well educated not under their direct control; many of which were enchanters, alchemists and especially the religious spell casters. There are few who can do such work in our homeland, fewer worth the salt and more then a few have or had loyalties to the old shogunate."
"Even if they didn't charge an arm and a leg they'd maybe try to sabotage the thing." Momoyo added as she huffed and moved to sip her tea for a moment. "The Kouzenken is a well known blade and there's a risk they'd try and make off with it; if nothing else then for the material it's made of. There's still a risk those loyal to the old shogunate will try and make a comeback if they can find someone to rally around."
"Father observed a few we could hire look over it but none were up to the task of restoring it." Machiko said with a sigh.
"James-sama; what do you make of this?" Makoto asked as she held the handle out to me. I took the handle from her and turned it over for a moment before looking down the gap where the blade was fitted. I thought I saw something and moved a finger; drawing mana to light it up and see down the slight tube the grip made.
"Weird... there's another material in here." I let off as the three sisters gave each other looks as I looked as close as I could before using my magical senses to scan at it, humming a bit. The material was highly charged with magical energies. I mulled over it for a long moment trying to work out what it was before it hit me. "I think the handle's core is made of something akin to mana armor with how charged it is. If I had to guess it's there to act as an amplifier for whatever magic the spell stone would have enchanted to it. I might be able to work out what the enchantment on it was if it's still lingering on this core."
"Really!?" All three sister said as I nodded.
"It'll take me a bit time just to work out what's there; but yeah. It's possible." I said as I looked over the guard now; namely where the stone would be set. The claws looked solid and designed to hold whatever was in it tight and decently thick. "I don't think the original stone slipped out if it was snug in place. More then likely it was broken somehow as your ancestor was fighting; maybe even as he was launched into the river."
"Spell stones can break?" Miria let off as I nodded.
"Oh; spell stones are very hard to break but it is possible with enough force." I said with a nod. "They're harder then steel, in general but when they do break they shatter like glass." Really if you had enough spell stones to make an armor with it would still be a bad idea as if someone broke through it you'll have shards of sharp shards coming off you.
"Ughhhhh... If that's true then it's no wonder no one could find the old stone..." Momoyo let off with a huff; crossing her arms.
"The Kouzenken is a blade even famed to those who were born and raised in Eostia; at least of us easterners." Kaguya said as she looked to me. "How confident are you in your ability to restore it? You are well skilled, none can deny this, but you are young and inexperienced when compared to many of your peers in the field."
"I'm fairly sure I can with enough time and effort... but the question is the spell stone." I replied; tapping one of the prongs to emphasize my point. "I have no idea about how strong the original stone was. For all I know when it was made it was made by someone with a moderate quality one who was able to stretch it's abilities to it's limits or someone with a very high quality one that could be made much more powerful."
"I believe then, you would need this." Machiko said as she reached into her belt and pulled something out and with a flick of her wrist tossed it to me softly. I caught it in my right hand and turned it over and saw a golf ball sized, red spell stone. I scanned it with my mana... and whistled openly. "Your father must have paid some serious coin for this... A grade two stone of this size..."
To put it simply spell stones came in ten grades officially... and twelve unofficially with grade one being the rarest and most powerful grade and ten the weakest... on the official scale. Unofficially grades elven and twelve were spell stones so weak as to be unusable; they were also as brittle as actual glass..
To this into some perspective a grade one spell stone half the size of this one would still be twice as powerful. I was already setting the stone to place; using my magic to reshape the stone. It was slow but bit my bit I worked the stone to place.
"Even the stones in my own weapon are only grade three..." Kaguya quipped as she thought for a moment. "Such a stone must hold great power."
"It will when James is done with it!" Miria quipped as she pumped an arm.
"Whatever..." Momoyo huffed. "Aside from what else I'm here for I'm still laying claim to it." She let off as Machiko huffed.
"Father has decided-"
"I am the strongest of us; or are you arguing that point?" Momoyo let off, cutting her off.
"Strongest does not mean best suited." Makoto interjected. Momoyo glared at my bodyguard as she stared down her sister. "James-sama has fought those stronger then him and won; more then once." She said firmly as she leaned in. "There is more to the life of a warrior then just skill with a blade. A warrior's purpose is more then glory or service. It is improvement of the self and those you guard and protect." Momoyo frowned at her as I finally fitted the stone into place; resizing it a bit to fit the prongs snugly. I wriggled it a bit and then used my hand to try and pry it loose; it didn't move.
"Care to put that to the test, sister?" Momoyo let off as she glared to Makoto as Machiko sighed. "A challenge in combat to prove your statement with stakes?"
"Is that the only thing that would satisfy your wants?" Makoto sighed as she shut her eyes for a long moment.
"It's the only way to prove who's right." Momoyo replied firmly. "Or are you afraid of the stronger sister?"
"I am not." Makoto let off with a firm look of her own as Momoyo smirked.
"Then we have a duel. If you win I'll surrender all claims to the blade..." She said as her smirk widened. "If I win I claim the blade... and you come home to train your skill further!"
[-]
The choice of battle was a sparring ring inside of the manor's training room which we all gathered into with Machiko holding onto the Kouzenken for the moment. Unexpectedly the room was more of the standard Eostian set up as opposed to a Japanese or eastern style; I was slightly disappointed, although it still had painted walls. Momoyo opted for live steel for this test which made me a bit nervous as accidents can happen. And no, I didn't think Momoyo was planning to kill Makoto, wood and metal weapons had very different feels to them. That said what was making me actually nervous were the stakes... Stakes that Makoto accepted I should add. Obviously Makoto was more then a bodyguard and a lover; she was a good friend and losing her would be painful.
"Is she the strongest sister?" I asked Makoto as both duelists took a moment to warm up,stretching their bodies to limber up for what was to come.
"She is the oldest and, as such, most trained. I would say 'strongest' might apply though." She replied as she sighed. "As the youngest myself I have never bested her in a spar thus far but I was getting closer and closer as I grew older. And I have grown a fair bit since coming here."
"She does seem a bit... overly aggressive..." I pointed out as she shook her head, looking over to me.
"Don't misunderstand... She is not a bad person but..." She began with a sigh. "As the oldest she was called upon to fight the corrupted shogunate and was the one who... lost the most. Friends, comrades... She was present when our cousin was run through..." She said as I gave a hard wince. "It hit us all. It hit her most of all. I know my sister well enough; it is not the reason she gives that interest me but the one she hasn't."
"Oiiiiy, are you ready or not?" Momoyo let off, taking a position in the sparring pit, sword drawn and tapping it's dull side to her shoulder as she Makoto sighed and looked to me.
"Wish me luck." She said as I gave her a polite nod. She would turn and walk towards the pit, drawing her own blade before adjusting to hold the katana by it's handle with both hands before her lap; the blade sticking out to her left as she moved to place. The pit's shield rose around the both of them and Makoto looked back at her sister who moved to take a combat stance first. Makoto, for her part, bowed deeply before moving to take her own stance.
Makoto would move forwards with a few steps before stopping and maintaining her stance as Momoyo stepped in herself. Unlike Makoto she didn't stop moving and stepped in until the tips of their blades crossed. Momoyo glared to my bodyguard as she looked back; holding her ground as blade pressed to blade for a long, long moment.
Their eyes stayed locked to one another as the tips of their blades kissed softly; neither really pressing to the other firmly as I felt a bit of tension as both sisters held mostly still and just looked at each other; both easily in striking range of the other and waiting; as if daring the other to make the first move.
It felt like several minutes that they stood like that; blade to blade, nearly toe to toe, eyes locked. In truth it was just under two minutes but it felt like ten before Makoto made the first move; shoving her sister's blade to the side before returning to her stance. Momoyo's response was to set the blade once more to where it was and shove Makoto's blade in a likewise manner as she to brought the blade back to where it was before shoving Momoyo's blade which would return quickly and shove Makoto's in response.
Another three exchanges would pass in such a manner; where each sister shoved the other's blade to the side; almost daring each other into making the first move. There was a silent conversation being spoken here that I didn't really understand, clearly. I couldn't help but feel as if Momoyo was trying to bully Makoto only to be rebuffed and pushed back.
Finally Momoyo broke the stalemate as she moved to shove Makoto's blade to the side before making a horizontal slice as the blade was out of position; Makoto's response was to slide back and dodge before stepping back in with a vertical slice; her sister quickly blocking it with the flat of her blade. Once more there was little motion as their eyes locked; Makoto pressing onto the blade of the eldest sister and said eldest sister holding her ground.
They held like that for a long moment before Momoyo pushed back and moved to attack herself only for Makoto to deflect her blade following with her own slash as Momoyo made a sidestep before making an attempt at a stab. Rather impressively Makoto used the butt of her kanata's handle to deflect it to the side which had the side effect of positioning her weapon for a horizontal swing which she swiftly made; Momoyo tucking in and rolling back over her shoulder, rising to her feet and lunging with another swing with enough speed that Makoto was forced to block; the pair pressing blade to blade as they tried to force the other back.
Both grit their teeth and pressed blade to blade; Makoto's face more stoic and composed and Momoyo's more openly bore a fierce visage as both struggled. The elder sister made the first move; half stepping in to land a headbutt, knocking Makoto back a step; although Momoyo needed a moment to recover (It's hard to win a headbutt) and moving to slash only to abandon it to block Makoto's attack as she recovered far, far faster (It's even harder to win a headbutt against someone wearing Armor Weave) and took the chance to press the offense.
Momoyo, to her credit, was quick to defend herself deflecting several slashes as she slowly retreated and gave two attacks of her own; Makoto deflecting both of them. She would then press a palm to the flat of her blade and with a loud, primal roar thrust the blade's flat at Makoto; forcing her to block and knocking her back a step; opening her up as Momoyo retook the initiative; Makoto sidestepping before stepping back and sidestepping back the other way to avoid several attacks before stabbing the point of her blade at her which was deflected as both women hopped back, took combat stances, panted as they looked to one another.
After a moment the two started to circle one another; both women moving to their right as they kept watch on one another. Their steps would slowly bring them closer as well and soon we were back to the start of the fight; blades crossed at the tip and held to one another; the only difference was they were still circling each other this time; stoic gaze meeting fierce glare as sister fought sister.
It took a long moment but the clash would begin anew; Momoyo feinting an attack and luring Makoto to block then frocing her to step away from the real attack; Makoto would slash back to counter only for her attack to be dodged before Momoyo started to attack with an advancing attack pattern; forcing Makoto to block, deflect or dodge. At one point Momoyo slapped the blade aside and moved to attack only for Makoto to rush with a shoulder check; knocking her back and off balance; despite this she still blocked Makoto's next diagonal slash; the two sisters locked blade to blade once more.
"You've not lost a step, Momo." Makoto let off as the two pushed into one another; locked blade to blade.
"I can say the same... You've improved a little, Mako..." Momoyo replied as she rocked into Makoto; trying to shove her back only for Makoto to hold her ground.
"I have risen to meet all challenges I've faced here." Makoto let off firmly before shoving back in a likewise manner; Momoyo also holding her ground. "This is no different."
"You could be training at home!" The elder sister said as she shoved back once more.
"We both know Sensei and father both had no more to teach and bid up learn by experience." Makoto pressed back, starting to glare as she shoved once more. Momoyo shoved once more but in this case Makoto shoved at the same time. "I know that's not what worries you."
"What do you know about my worries!?" Momoyo let off as she shoved harder then before; Makoto still holding her ground and shoving back but clearly not expecting that level of strength.
"Enough to know you share them sparingly even-" Makoto grunted as she pressed back hard. "-with family." Momoyo likewise didn't expect such a shove but still held her ground.
"You know nothing about my worries!" I couldn't help but notice that Machiko was biting her lip on the sidelines as she watched on as her two sisters spat words at one another; blades locked like a pair of bucks fighting to impress a doe. "You weren't there when Mitsuo was run through and slain!" She let off; shoving with enough force to knock Makoto back and step in with a slash that Makoto blocked.
"I know enough that there was nothing you could do!" Makoto let off; teeth grit as she held the blade back. "His loss is not your blame. Losing Mitsuo hit us all hard!" She let off managing to push her back and slash back; her own attack blocked. "I speak true when I say you are not alone in this pain."
"You weren't there!" Momoyo screamed as she shoved Makoto back as she attacked with hard, fast strikes with her blade and forced my bodyguard back. "You didn't see it! You didn't have to be helpless as it happened!" Makoto was stuck on the defensive as she grit her teeth.
"Tell me... Is this-" She let off, blocking a hard attack and wincing. "-the reason you wanted to find me?"
"I lost Mitsuo!" Momoyo screamed out as she kicked Makoto in the chest and knocked her back a step, holding her blade over head and pausing; as if taking aim. "I will not lose more family!" She let off as she swung down; Makoto blocking the overhead strike...and sidestepping as her blade broke under the force of the attack; clanging loudly as it hit the ground. Makoto stepped back as Momoyo gave a flourish of her blade before stepping in. "Now you'll come home and be safe!" She let off as she moved to attack...
"You are not my keeper!"
Only for Makoto to draw her wakizashi from her side with her left hand in a reverse grip; blocking Momoyo's attack as her right hand inverted it's grip on the broken katana's handle and swung it upwards; the butt of the weapon impacting her sister's solar plexus with no small amount of force; staggering her back as Makoto used her short sword to shove her foe's weapon back. By the time Momoyo recovered from the hard blow the butt of the broken katana came down; striking her on the temple like it was a short club and knocking her to the floor. To her credit the elder sister was moving the moment she hit the floor.
To Makoto's credit she was quick in her own right; a foot set near Momoyo's elbow on her forearm and her wakizashi was turned to a standard grip and set to her foe's neck. Both were panting for a long moment; eyes locked as Makoto gazed down with a softer look and Momoyo upwards with a surprised one. "Sister..." Makoto began as she smiled. "You were one of those who helped to train me. Did you think me so weak to think I would die with such ease? If so I am offended." She said as Momoyo blinked up at her before letting her body go limp... and then.
"... Heh... ... Heh heh heh... Heh heh heh... I suppose... I suppose... ... I suppose I was... over-worried..." She said as Makoto moved her foot before sheathing her short sword. Shifting the broken weapon's handle to her left hand she extended her right; Momoyo shifting her weapon to her left hand and taking Makoto's hand as she was helped up to her feet. Despite her weapon still being drawn she moved to hug Makoto as the shield around the pit dropped and Machiko walked in; wrapping her arms about both of them; the Kouzenken still in one hand.
"The war wounded us all." Machiko said with a sigh. "But this is not the time to freshen these wounds... Let us mend them."
"Indeed... Indeed..." Makoto said as you could hear Momoyo sniff.
"I'm not crying..." The eldest said as she finally let go and sheathed her weapon. "... sorry about the katana..."
"Well; at least I shall have a worthy replacement for it." Makoto said with a bit of cheer. "Speaking of which..." She would turn and with a nod took the Kouzenken from Machiko before she stepped over towards me with her sisters moving to flank her. "James-sama; I must speak with my sisters for a time. I do not like to ask for boons nor favors but I would beseech you..." She said, bowing while holding the blade out to me. "Make the Kouzenken whole once more." She said as I took hold of the blade and bowed back.
"I will do all I can to do so." I replied. Well... Time to take this to my quarters and try and see what I can make of it.
It was time to work some magic.
[-]
[(⸜∕ ) Place Booster in Ferrosica]
I made sure to check with Olivia that I didn't have to be the one to physically install the booster and once I was assured it would still count I asked Riri, Aeris and Miria to handle installing the booster this time without me; it seems like they just finished it. Which was a good thing; I was having... less luck.
As I said the core of the katana's handle was made of a material that was like the sort in used in mana armor and it had what I could call an etching of the previous spell stone's enchantments. It was... it was like reading an old, old newspaper with faded or blurred words. You could make out some of the words but some letters, words or part of words were illegible. That said by reading what you could you could work out what you couldn't. That being said...
Well...
The old enchantment seem to have contained Arcane Weapon... and I wasn't able to make out anything else!
There was of course the usual filler and garbage code to obfuscate things but... I couldn't find a hint of another spell in there. I was left scratching my head wondering what in the fuck the original spell was. It was... well... how do I put this..? It was like the answer was being dangled right in front of my nose, taunting me and I couldn't see it!
I had called Cress to ask a maid to send coffee to my room. I was going to need it.
I was tapping foot as I sat at the desk glaring at the detached handle of the Kouzenken as it sat on said desk. I imagine if someone stepped in to look at me they'd think that this sword handle beat me up as a kid and took my lunch money with how I was looking at it. I was rather frustrated at this whole thing but I was going to keep trying to figure it all out.
A knock sounded as I looked back. "Come in." I called out as the door opened and the one bringing me coffee was... "Kaguya?"
"Cress mentioned you asked for coffee. I wanted to see how progress was going." She said as she shut the door behind her and walked over to me; a trap with a cup of coffee and a full pot by it. A bowl of sugar with a small spoon was there was well and a small cup of cream. I added some cream and one spoonful of sugar as I sighed; using a different spoon to stir it, setting it on the tray.
"I feel like I'm banging my head into a wall." I said as she blinked to me. "There's something about this that is either well, well, well hidden or so painfully obvious I'm overlooking it." I said as I sipped my coffee.
"What spells have you found in it so far?" She asked, moving to pull up another chair and having a seat, setting her hands to her lap.
"Arcane Weapon." I said as I sipped my coffee as I looked to the weapon's handle. Kaguya stayed silent for a long moment before blinking at me.
"...That's it?"
"So far." I replied with a sigh. "Honestly; it's like the more I think about it the less sense it makes. It could be they have some small spell I can't make out but for the life of me I don't know what and I can't work out what it could be."
"An elemental weapon?" She said, blinking as I sighed.
"No; I've used them enough to know them and how they read in an enchantment." I said with a sigh. "I'd have seen it, I'm sure."
"Hmmm... A challenge by the sounds of it." She said as I leaned back, sipping my drink once more. "I do not know enough of the field to be of much use but I will offer what advise and insight as I can... limited as I am sure it will be."
"Thanks... I dunno; maybe a fresh perspective will give me some insight on what in the hell am I missing..." I said as I tapped my foot.
"Well then, perhaps it's best to try and explain the problem to me in terms someone who is not an enchanter can understand." She said as I nodded for a moment.
I repeated the 'faded words' explanation (Although replacing newspaper with a lost scroll) and once I finished she was frowning in thought as she leaned back in her own seat. "Hmmm... There is no hint at another spell... and yet the one spell within needs something to couple with it, it doesn't make sense otherwise."
"It's a heck of a puzzle, isn't it?" I sighed out as she nodded.
"Hmmm... Indeed..." She let off in a musing tone. "Well if it's not an elemental weapon... could it be a small spell used in an unusual or creative way?"
"That possible... Damned if I knew what it was." I replied with a nod as I sipped at my coffee.
"Could it be a... second spell that is obfuscated within the enchantments?"
"Also possible; but I don't see how..."
"Hmmm... Very curious..." She let off. "Perhaps what you need is a short break. A moment to relax your mind and refresh it to better tackle the problem set before you."
"Maybe... It's mostly that since Makoto arrived in Mungale she's become a very good friend." I let off with a sigh. "And she asks for very little. I do want to make it work for her so she can use it as it's meant to be used." She giggled softly as she looked to me.
"It is good to be cared for and to care for others, is it not?" She said with a smile. "It reminds me of someone I knew."
"Oh?"
"An old friend of mine; he was a knight of Rycall, in fact." She said as she smiled and looked up as she recalled her memories. "He came up to learn of the cultures in Thorn and of the Seindai when he learned of us and our order accepted him for a time. He acted as bodyguard but spent much of his time helping here and there. He would even help in the garden; curious of the plants within as we grew many medicinal herbs."
"For potions?" I asked as she nodded once.
"Indeed. He knew some alchemy and our potion makers and he shared recipes and techniques for making different sorts." She said as I nodded a bit. "Mostly what he brought was a Rycallian means of concentrating and intensifying the mana for-"
What else she said was lost as I focused on one word she said. 'Intensifying.' That was...
"What's wrong?" Kaguya asked as I had set my coffee down and picked up the Kouzenken's handle once more focusing on reading it's code. There was still only one spell; Arcane Weapon. Arcane Weapon...
"Eureka..." I let off softly as I worked it out.
"Was it... something I said?" She said as I turned back to her with a grin as I nodded.
"I think I understand it now; it's just Arcane Weapon but it's overcharged and intensified." I said as she blinked. "The more mana you put into a spell the more powerful it is. Of course as you overcharge it-"
"The less the mana does because of diminishing returns and wasted energy." Kaguya finished for me as she nodded. "Of course if you push that much mana into a single spell it will still improve..."
"I wonder..." I let off. "I mean... I mean what happens when you press that much power into something like Arcane Weapon..?" I let off as I grinned a bit. "Well... Now is a perfect time to find out. Wanna help me do some work and testing?"
"Of course."
[-]
After a few hours my work was done and come the next morning I had the handle presented to Makoto in the training room she had dueled her sister in. As it turned out the three sisters had had trained to use magical weapons and she needed little instruction to use it once I told her what she needed to do. As I stood back with Momoyo and Machiko flanking me and Kaguya off to our left we watched as Makoto turned the Kouzenken's handle about in her hand... or I should say the Kouzenken itself. Makoto activated the weapon...
And it hummed to life as a glowing, silver-hued, curved katana blade extended from it. Unlike most Arcane Weapon creations it visibly shimmered as Makoto was likely feeling the heat coming off of it. Once I started testing my idea I realized something; overcharging an Arcane Weapon spell so much was subtle, simplistic genius and the Kouzenken's creator deserved whatever he made on the commission and more. Why would that be? As Kaguya said there was a case of diminishing returns when you were overcharging a spell; the blade was likely close to hardness as the orichalcum the handle was made of but it was still wasting a lot of energy to reach that point... energy that was wasted in the form of heat and with some additional work that heat could be focused and directed around the blade. A little further work would shield the user from said heat. The over all effect of this?
Makoto was now the owner of a katana shaped, low grade lightsaber! I am not joking!
"Amazing..." Makoto let off as she swung the blade about softly.
"The simple genius is it's just an Arcane Weapon spell overcharged to not just make it amazingly hard but use all the heat wasted from the overcharging it to further enhance the blade." I began to explain. "I made a couple of my own changes and additions. I added Flame Guard to protect the user a bit more from it's own heat for starters. I think your father's spell stone is more potent then the original; I saw no hint of it in the handle at the time. You should be able to handle the blade yourself directly in spite of the heat." Makoto blinked before moving to rest the flat of the blade to her open palm; slowly bringing mana forged blade to her palm. As I expected she was able to set it there with no visible pain on her part.
"It's warm..." She said with a soft smile. "But yes, it does not burn me." To her it was warm but...
"That thing is able to melt steel; at least if you hold the blade to it long enough." I added as she looked surprised; and yes I tested it; it takes a minute or so to melt past a sword but you could do it if you pressed into it. "I also added one more..." I said with a grin... before telling her what to do with her mana. Once explained she nodded and moved to hold the weapon before her with one hand... and as the blade's hue shifted to a golden orange it came further alight with matching flames.
"Is this..?"
"Holyblaze Weapon." I confirmed as she smiled. "The bulk of the mana is dedicated to Arcane Weapon but the stone was strong enough I could squeeze out a little more." Makoto smiled wide as I said that and slowly lifted her new weapon over her head and skywards...
"Sister..." Machiko said as she pointed to something with a shocked look to her face. Momoyo blinked, looked and gawked for a moment. I looked as well and it took a moment to see it but then...
All four walls of the training room were painted with various murals and scenes... One such detailed a story of how House Usagi assisted in breaking a siege at Fortress Thorn... A western castle... So that vision their father had...
The two sisters shared a look before Makoto slashed down to her side as she undid the Kouzenken's spells and with a flourish sheathed it to the holster at her side; the normal steel blade fitting into it. "You have lived up to what I knew you could do." She said with a wide smile. And in case you wondered, I did get an achievement from it once I finished my work.
Achievement Unlocked: A Relic Reborn
Restored a Legendary or Relic Weapon to working order.
"Honestly the praise should go to the guy who figured out what overcharging Arcane Weapon could do. It's so simple that it's oddly brilliant." I said with a grin. The door opened as someone walked in; that person being Shigeko as I turned to her.
"Apologies... Lunch will be soon and I know you've been working hard the last day... But I still need that moment of your time to talk business." The baroness said as I chuckled.
"Of course, of course. I apologize for that..." I said smiling as I rubbed the back of my head.
"I understand how you enchanting types can be; finding a new toy that needs to be fixed..." She said, waving her hand dismissively. "But aside from that there is someone I'd like you to meet."
"Of course." I said as I looked over to the other ladies in the room. "If I maybe excused."
"Of course." Kaguya said with a nod. "Do not let us keep you." She said as I nodded back and moved to Shigeko as she turned to leave the room; leading me away.
She would lead me down a hall and down to a sitting room. Unlike the training room it was eastern looking with all the painted walls and such. Standard table and chairs and not some pit thing. "Oiy, about time."
And someone was already waiting here.
She was tall; maybe six one. Her body was fairly slender but trim and fit. She bore fiery, red hair in thick, heavy waves down to her knees, tied near the end that matched her red eyes. She wore a wide, red furred tube top over fairly flat breasts; not even full A-cups. A matching red wrap was about the right wrist along with thin, leather straps on both wrists. Matching straps were on her right leg (Two straps), right bicep (Two more) and left bicep (Just one). A matching collar was about her neck with a gold pendant hanging off of it. Ruby earrings were on each ear and her lower half was covered by a rectangular, red furred loincloth that was held up by twin, leather straps (No hint of any panties) and a pair of lather boots with brass caps over the end. Shigeko smiled and moved closer before looking to me.
"James, this is Bon Deergh; a representative of the Or'gon." She said as I blinked for a moment.
"I imagined you'd have dealings with the Or'gon; but close enough to have need of a representative?" I let off.
(-)
Name: Bon Deergh
Title: Speaker of the Tribal People
Class: Warlord
Level: 29
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 345
Status: Healthy, Relaxed, Amused
Romance Rating: 83
Corruption Rating: 14
Known Traits
[?]
[Wildhood] You can survive in the wild with ease; building fires, setting traps for food, foraging for berries and more. -15% hunger and thirst in the wild
[Don't Axe Me Bro] You are a master of Axes. +6 Damage to all One Handed Axes you use. +12 Damage to all Two Handed Axes you use. In addition increase your Con, Str & End by 2% when using an axe.
[?]
Third daughter of the west tribe of the Or'gon of the Thunderblaze she has advocated for greater trade relations with those around the Mountains they call home; both for their prosperity and to better fight off their enemies to the south; the Kingdom of Nyaru. To this end she courts the eastern most nations of Eostia as their main representative.
(-)
Shigeko sat down and I moved to join the two women; sitting across from the two ladies as the baroness began to speak. "As you might have guessed the Four Eastern Lords have been trying to establish more trading ties to the eastern nations. The best route would be through Nyaru but as you might have guessed tensions prevent that. As such most trade eastwards traverses through Aladon then." She said referring to Nyaru's southern neighbor... that broke off from them.
"The Or'gon also contact these peoples." Bon said as she crossed her arms. "They have fine weapons and foods we enjoy. But the Thunderblaze is unkind to travel upon; west to east in particular. We would grant such travel to Eostian friends but the travel is too harsh for most goods."
"Even if we opted to do so the expense of making roads and raising bridges to make it possible would be horrendously expensive." Shigeko added next. "All the states of Thorn agree this trade would add to all of our prosperity but Aladon is the only good route for us; one under threat by Nyaru."
"I suppose going through Wereagell is out as well then." I mused as Shigeko nodded.
"Indeed." She began. "I don't know what you're aware of in regards to them but they do maintain an alliance with Nayru although their distance prevents easy trade. Wereagell is on better terms with Eostia; they sometimes assisted us in fighting Garan. That isn't to say we were on good terms; they wanted their own piece of Eostia but they're not as vocal and demanding on it... and talks of signing a full treaty is ongoing. However that said their eastern neighbors are... unaccommodating. Even if trade through Wereagell was fully safe outside of it might not be."
"Leaving us with Aladon." I said.
"Leaving us with Aladon, yes." Shigeko parroted with a nod. "However while the Or'gon cannot connect us to the east physically they can connect us in another way."
"I have heard the tales of the voxlux you have made." Bon said with a grin. "Such a tool would connect the tribes as we have much distance between us and hard paths as well. Moreover it would help if Nyaru ever attacked us once more. Some of the voxlux and a few of the boosters of yours would connect us in a way nothing else could and rally the tribes if the need arose."
"And it benefits Eostia as well." Shigeko injected with a grin. "If the Or'gon can host boosters in the Thunderblaze then, based on what I know, it will connect with the ones in Eostia. Our contacts in Nyaru and Wereagell would be better connected but, more importantly, it could form a link to the east. Sending boosters to the east means we can connect to the merchants there as well." She said as I nodded.
"Ahhh... I see then..." I said as I mused. "I had intended that Eostia's allies would at, some point, gain the ability to use them as well... although I never considered using it so far away from Eostia in this manner."
"Of course as the maker of it we wanted your blessings as well." Shigeko said with a nod. "After all it is your invention and while people will use it as they please it seemed polite to ask first." She said as I mused over it for a long moment.
"Hmmm... I agree that I can see the benefit of doing so..." I said as I considered things for a moment before speaking. "I think you should consult with Celestine for her opinion; I imagine she'll want such a connection as well but may want to avoid some nations there. As long as she grants her blessing you have mine."
"Excellent. I am confident we can win her favor over." Shigeko said with a nod. "Additionally we've been speaking on something else."
"We think an alliance with Eostia might benefit both of our peoples." Bon said with a nod. "With a mutual enemy there is no sense not to co-operate with one another. Together we can reach new glories and heights! The gods themselves will sing at what we can do!"
If nothing else I had to admire her enthusiasm.
[-]
We would carry on talking for...a while, mostly me reminding Bon that the boosters would be fragile and if Celestine gave the go ahead keeping them safe on route to installation would be important as well as both the range of it and that overlap would be a good thing. She assured me they would be able to handle it.
Eventually lunch was served and it was a nice, sweet and sour chicken, pork wontons, and ramen. Mostly ramen; good ramen no less. With no travel due to my work on the Kouzenken I went to the training room to do a bit of a work out. I could have gotten five-k in stat experience a week since I figured that detail out back in Ken but being on the road constantly and not always having access to the right facilities limited what I could do in that manner.
I opted for a dexterity exercise that was more or less just grabbing a training foil and thrusting at small targets on a dummy that popped up via enchantments. It was like a mix of that old game Operation mixed with Whack-A-Mole; but with a training rapier. I choose Dexterity to train as it was at eighty nine and once it got to ninety the xp requirements would go from eight thousand to nine thousand.
Well I got it to ninety. Nice. Next I moved to work on some weights; mostly to blow off some energy. After all I needed something to do and I needed to grind more then 'new spells' and 'make new shit'. After dinner I would go to the baths to wash up; before opting to retire for the night. It was a hard bit of work yesterday and a good workout today. Really; I didn't bother dressing that much on the way back to my quarters opting for loose pants, a loose tunic and carrying the rest of my things back in a basket. Reaching the door I opened it and...
"About time!"
And found the three Taihei sisters in my room. Naked. Fully naked. Momoyo (The speaker, of course) was laying on her belly on the floor with my Battle Fleet game before her, Machiko kneeling across from her with the two playing it (And Momoyo winning from what I can see) as Makoto sat cross-legged on the bed. Did I mention they were naked?
They were all naked.
"May I ask the reason you three are naked in my room or is the safe assumption the correct one?" I asked as I set my basket on a side table.
"Ha ha ha..." Makoto let off, blushing as she rubbed the back of her head with a hand. "We got to talking for a bit and I... might have gossiped about my sex life a tad..."
"And I, for one, am horny and have been unsatisfied for some time." Machiko let off (Surprising to me as she was one of the calmer sisters) as she and Momoyo set the game aside and stood. "So then... Shall we?"
"Let's." Momoyo let off... As both moved to grab my arms. I was relaxed given what I expected them to do. What they actually did was spin me about to my confusion and then grabbed me under the knees and shoulders and just yeeted me to the bed; grabbing my pants near the ankles as I was thrown and stripping them off as I went through the air with what I assumed was a comedic look to my face as Makoto half-caught me; moving to the side and helping guide me down before moving to all fours atop of me and crawling backwards until she was between my legs; her sisters quickly flanking her.
"Oiiiiyyyy... You weren't kiddin' Mako..." Momoyo let off, setting a finger to the cock head. Given there were three naked women in my room I moved to a half-chub decently quickly and now it was in the air it was starting to stiffen much more. "He is sizable... Bet it'll be nice and big once we get him hard." Makoto's response was to giggle and move her lips down, suckling the tip into her mouth, bobbing her head gently as her tongue prodded my tip, Machiko moving down to one of my balls and suckling it with her own lips. Momoyo for her part moved to the side of my shaft, suckling on it and wrapping her lips about as much of it as she could, moving up and down slightly.
Getting the idea that I was getting laid (And to be honest, I could use the fun) I moved to take my tunic off and tossed it aside. I sat up, propping myself up with my arms as I watched the trio work on my cock; working in unison together. Considering the... issues between Momoyo and her sisters earlier it was a bit surprising to see them acting as one now but I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I groaned out; getting to full size took little time under such an assault.
Once it was fully hard Makoto pulled off and moved to kneel; her sisters following her lead. "Sizable indeed..." Machiko let off... and I opted to take that as 'me first'; thus I grabbed her by the arm and yanked her down; making her lay face down and rolling over her so I could mount her body and positioned to her sex, making her blush as I pressed into her firmly; the two of us groaning out.
"He doesn't waste time..." Momoyo let off, blushing a bit as I started to work my hips in and out of her sister's sex, making her moan under me. I groaned in turn, reaching under Machiko's body and cupping her breasts with both hands, squeezing softly and ramming into her quicker and harder as I panted over her as the brown-haired sister groaned and panted under me as she rocked her ass back up into me as she set her hands to the bed; using her arms to help press back into me while mewling softly.
"Ahhhh... It is a thick root..." She let off, closing her eyes as she started to roll her hips about in a circle as well, making me groan out all the deeper.
"W-we noticed..." Momoyo shot back as Makoto giggled.
"It is a nice feeling one, isn't it?" My bodyguard let off as I did my best to control myself and keep the pace up.
"Y-yeahhoooooo, Gods..." Machiko let off shivering hard before crying out deeply as she came; squirting on my cock. It took some effort but I avoided cumming myself; although it took a lot of effort... Finally I pulled out of her, pushing off her ass with a hand, as I panted a bit as Momoyo gulped at the sight.
"Uhhhhhh..." She let off as Makoto elbowed her softly.
"Your turn." She said as Momoyo nodded and moved towards the bed's center, moving to all fours and presenting her backside to me. She looked back over her shoulder to me as I moved behind her; setting my hands on her ass, spreading it as my thumbs pulled her pussy lips aside. I started to line up as she gave me an odd frown mixed with a pouty look.
"Oiy, I'm not a fragile little, innocent maiden, okay?" She let off in a haughty sort of tone. It was all she said but I got the message; pressing myself softly to her before giving a firm push and buried half of my cock into her sex. She wasn't as tight as either of her sisters but damn it wasn't a bad thing and she was still plenty snug as I drove in further, moving my hands to grab her hair; one hand to each twin tail of her as she yelped. I used her hair as handles to drive myself in fully, my pelvis smacking her ass before I just opted to go wild; trusting hard, fast, deep and rough in her sex. "B-b-b-baka! I didn't mean you could-fu-fu-fuccck-treat me like a whore!"
Fuck, who knew Makoto's sister would be such a Tsundere? "Want me to go easier on you then?"
"I didn't say that!" She let off as I groaned out a chuckle, ramming deeper into her; as if my cock was a battering ram attempting to break her womb open. The siege of Castle Momoyo would continue as I groaned deeper as she rocked her hips back. "Ohhhh fuuuuuuuck, so deep..." She let off, groaning harder. My pelvis crashed to her ass, making rapid clapping sounds as flesh slammed into flesh as I used her hair to thrust harder, aiming to drive her lust higher and higher.
I pulled her hair together to hold both tails in one fist as I gave her ass a smack with my now freed hand; grabbing her ass firmly as I leaned over her as I groaned over her; her response to moan and shiver under me. She was enjoying it, clearly, and as such I kept giving it, ramming into her and battering her sex with my own. Finally I would give her ass a nice, firm smack which had her squeal and cry out, shuddering and squirting on me as I one more had to fight the urge to cum myself and once more managed it; if just.
I would pull free of her as she fell to the side and rolled to her back panting. I'd only just started to recover as I was pushed down; giving a soft 'oof' before turning over just as Makoto crawled over top of me. "It's my turn now, James-sama."
"By all means." I replied as she moved to position; her left knee on the bed but her right leg with it's foot down and knee up; using her odd, asymmetrical position to lift herself up before setting my cock to position and dropping down onto it. She moaned out onto it as she started to rock herself on my cock; hands on my hips as I thrust back up into her; one hand on the underside of her thigh on the raised leg, one atop the thigh of the other leg. I groaned out with her moans mixing in with mines as we rutted on the bed; ignoring all else for the moment.
Part way through she adjusted herself; putting both knees down before rocking herself harder and faster as we both groaned; my hands moving to her hips and holding her tight as she picked up her pace. My hands slid behind her to her ass, squeezing firmly as she leaned over me; her hands moving to my chest as she slammed herself down hard before finally lunging with her lips, kissing me firmly as my hands moved around her waist. I managed to kiss back as we rutted for a long moment more before my control finally gave in and I came and came hard, groaning into the kiss back as I pumped seed up into her, Makoto squealing back as she came soon after, shivering hard over me before she finally broke the kiss and collapsed on top of me. "We... do not do this enough..." She let off, panting as I gave her ass a half hearted swat as I chuckled softly, kissing her cheek... Only to have her sisters move to settle on either side of me.
"Oiy, oiy..." Momoyo let off, setting her head on my shoulder. "I'm going to sleep now, and my room is too far away. You're the pillow now."
"A comfortable one, I may add." Machiko let off as Makoto giggled, moving her hips to dislodge my cock; Machiko settling her head to my other shoulder and Makoto to my chest.
God I hope I don't have to piss tonight...
[Fucked List]
Makoto Taihei=75xp
Machiko Taihei-75xp x 5 First Time Bonus=375xp
Momoyo Taihei=100xp x 5 First Time Bonus=500xp
Multi Girl Bonus=30 x 3 Girls=30xp
+20% Dark Horse Bonus
Gain 1140xp Total
[-]
Ferrosica Manor
Outside of James Noxdecus' Quarters
A Moment Earlier
Kaguya blushed, looking at the door hearing... quite a bit of the sexual energy that was common in Eostia as she stood there, hands folded in her lap. She had hoped to have a conversation with her friend but it seemed he needed up... preoccupied.
Very preoccupied.
"I'm jealous..." She said with a sigh before turning to walk down the hall.
The life of the faithful was a hard one at times... and lonely...
[-]
"As unexpected and... turbulent as it was it was good to see you; both of you." Makoto let off, hugging each of her sisters come the morning; Machiko then Momoyo as we gathered outside of Ferrosica Manor. She proudly bore her new blade at her side as she smiled as everyone was loading up to go to our next destination; Coppic. Well everyone save Kaguya who had a soft blush as she waited by me... although I had to wonder; why exactly was she blushing?
"If nothing else it's good to see this place isn't making you grow soft." Momoyo let off in a slightly haughty tone but you could tell her true feelings by the soft smile she gave; void of a smirk when she hugged back openly and with no hesitation.
"Indeed. And you need not fear." Machiko added with her own smile. "We will see your letter to father."
"Thank you. Both of you." Makoto let off as I moved to set a hand on her shoulder before speaking to her sisters.
"If you ever end up around Mungale do stop by; we'd love to have you." I told them smiling back myself as Momoyo scoffed.
"We very may well do that..." She let off in a haughty manner as Machiko elbowed her lightly.
"We would enjoy that. We will let you be upon your way; we ourselves have a long journey ahead of us as well." The braided girl said as she smiled. "Safe travels."
A final wave would see us load onto the carriages and soon we were off; heading towards the north...
Bit by bit; I always almost done this ride...
[ - Author's Note - ]
Well this chapter took longer to get out. I... might have broken out Breath of the Wild and started to grind like a madman... Might...
Anyway; I had wanted to do a Makoto focused chapter for awhile but wasn't sure on what to do exactly. Then inspiration hit and I opted to splash in an idea that I had planned for down the line anyway; the sword that would become the Kouzenken. I had, originally, planned to have James commission the blade be made (Made of steel though) then enchant it himself. I had taken the idea from the Sword of Light from The Slayers anime (Highly recommend it) however I adapted it to an heirloom made of orichalcum and in need of restoration. That said the original Kouzenken would have just been 'Arcane Weapon plus Holyblaze Weapon' and not 'Overcharged As Fuck Arcane Weapon plus Holyblaze' so the version of the Kouzenken she's getting is significantly more powerful then what James could have made on his own with what he currently has access to.
Also who wouldn't want a lightsaber in their fantasy story? ... I mean it's Makoto's, but still!
The Best Banners of Ansur Poll is still ongoing! If you haven't done so please drop a vote! It does mean a lot and it's good fun when it comes time to tally it all up. You can find it, as always, at strawpoll(Dot Com)/polls/wAg3ADLmMy8 or find the link to the Straw Poll on Twitter via eostian. Also don't forget to leave a comment about what you liked, didn't like and so on!
One or two chapters to close out Thorn. See you next time then!
~~Eostian Scribe